How to Prepare Your Kids for a Stress-Free Family Photo Session

A family photo session with me doesn’t require perfectly behaved kids. What I do need is kids who feel comfortable, safe and able to be themselves!

One of the biggest worries parents have before a session is how their kids will behave. Will they cooperate? Will they smile? Will it be chaos?

The truth is: that’s normal, and expected. And guess what? They might not behave. They might not smile. It might be complete and utter chaos. And guess what? Thats ok!

Before your session, the best thing you can do is keep things low-pressure. Avoid over-hyping the shoot or using it as a behavioural bargaining tool. Instead, frame it as time together, not a performance.

On the day, make sure kids are fed, warm and dressed in clothes that are comfy and they can move in. Layers are always a good idea, especially for outdoor sessions. Bribes aren’t necessary, but familiarity helps - a favourite toy, comfort item or snack can make a huge difference. Try not to bribe them with a pocketful of lollies… I’ve seen that backfire as the sugar rush kicks in!! Leave those for afterwards.

During my sessions, I will encourage the kids to move, explore and interact naturally. If I can sense some push back from the kids, I’ll suggest we move around to distract and reset - I might suggest ‘lets go see what on that rock over there’, or ‘let’s run to the top of the hill’. Some of the best moments come from the in-between: the giggles, the cuddles, the moments that aren’t planned.

If your child needs time to warm up, that’s okay. If they don’t look at the camera, that’s okay too. The goal isn’t perfection, it’s connection.

Nothing raises the tension more than kids being told constantly ‘look at the camera’ or ‘give a big smile’ or ‘stop being silly’. You’d be surprised what I can capture while you’re just chatting to them and interacting with them - I don’t need everyone to always be looking at me. In fact, I’d often rather you didn’t!

Family photos should feel like you, not like something to “get through”.

If you’re worried about how your kids will go, you’re not alone, and I’ll guide you through it every step of the way.